Parkinson’s SA&NT is very excited to introduce Jo Dalton as our first community-based Clinical Nurse Consultant!
Jo has been working for the past nine years as a Clinical Nurse at the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) and joins our team as the first community-based Clinical Nurse Consultant (neuro and movement disorders).
A community-based nurse has more flexibility than a hospital-based nurse as they are not confined to a certain health network, plus they have the flexibility to offer services regardless of whether you see your Movement Disorder Specialist through the public or private system.
Jo can see clients in a number of settings – at Parkinson’s SA&NT, via telehealth, at home or in Residential Aged Care Facilities.
Through her work in the Acute Pain Service and perioperative services, Jo has experience in acute pain management, acute postoperative and other non-surgical pain such as acute and chronic pain including neuropathic pain.
She has provided high quality client care, nursing expertise and is committed to sharing clinical knowledge and assessment to improve client care outcomes. This is in line with our purpose to ‘together, fight’ for better health and wellbeing for our community through life-changing medical research and improved healthcare.
Olivia Nassaris, Executive Director of Parkinson’s SA&NT said she was excited to welcome Jo for the benefit of clients.
“Parkinson’s and other neurological/movement disorders are very complex and require very individualised support plans,” Olivia said.
“A Neuro Nurse Specialist ensures that they have the depth of knowledge to help clients manage the many motor and non-motor symptoms as part of our multi-disciplinary team. The time between specialist appointments can be anywhere from 3-6 months and often clients need clinical advice and support during this period when they experience changes in symptoms.”
There are more than 10,000 people living with Parkinson’s in SA and NT who will have access to this service and benefit from the specialist nurse. The best practice model of care in the United Kingdom shows that the Specialist Nurse model keeps people independent and at home for longer, reduces falls and falls risks, keeps people out of aged care facilities, reduces hospital admission and length of stay.
Currently, the ratio of nurses to clients in South Australia is very low and funding from The Hospital Research Foundation Group for this position ensures that we are able to improve client care.
Jo is looking forward to starting at Parkinson’s SA&NT.
“I am passionate and committed to clinical leadership, research, innovation and contemporary practice and will strive to achieve the purpose and mission of THRF Group – Parkinson’s.”
Thank you to Wellbeing SA who have partnered with us to provide the clinical supervision for this position.
